Jersey Shore Roustabouts Say Farewell on July 7

“It has been 12 wonderful years,” writes Carlos Colon, the band’s founder and frontman, on the group’s website and Facebook pages. “We have had so many talented musicians that have worked so hard to entertain our audiences with shows that displayed tons of heart, a love for the golden music of yesteryear and a quirky sense of humor.

“We have covered the pioneering music of the early greats like Elvis, Dion, Ray Charles and even wrote our own retro rock ’n’ roll tunes. We have played to audiences of all ages in small clubs, theaters and even stadiums. Through it all we stuck together like brothers and developed powerful friendships that extended to our families. But like all good things, there comes a time when the right thing to do is call it a day. That time has now come for the Jersey Shore Roustabouts.”

The Roustabouts’ farewell concert is scheduled Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m. outdoors at the Ocean County Library main branch in Toms River as part of the county’s “Carousel of Music” summer concert series. That is fitting, since the band frequently performed at library branches at the onset.

“And the Carousel series is where we have had many of our most memorable appearances in the past,” Colon said.

Colon said that for retro rock ’n’ roll fun this summer, audiences can enjoy the performances of New Jersey bands such as Joey Arminio and the Family, Stilletto and the Saxman, Mike Mastellone, the Whiptones, the Snakes, the Vel Johnson Jazz Band, Rogues on the Run, John Bishop and Joey D’s Rocking Oldies Band, the Copians, and Strictly 60’s.

“These bands are made up of super-talented musicians that are also good friends that we have made through the years ” said Colon. “The Snakes are going to play with us on stage for the farewell show and former members of the Roustabouts will also be joining us. It will be an all-out concert spectacular and we hope to see all of you there for one last time.”

Colon formed the band in 2006, and was inspired after seeing the musical revue “All Shook Up,” featuring Elvis Presley hits.

“A lot of them were songs from the movies,” he said. “So I thought it would be fun to get a band together that would do Elvis movie tunes and lesser known songs. Our name comes from ‘Roustabout,’ a 1964 Elvis movie. These were great songs that people rarely heard. “But we found that audiences wanted to hear the more popular songs, so we moved in that direction.”

The Roustabouts also recorded a CD, Rock ’n Roll Reboot, featuring originals done in late ’50s and early ’60s style. Colon said two of the most requested songs are “Miss You Tonight” and “New Jersey Bop.”

“We’ll feature them, too, at the concert,” he said. “And though we will no longer be performing onstage as the Jersey Shore Roustabouts, we will always look back on these past years as some of the best we’ve ever had in our lives.”